Electrolytic water correction device and filter combination



Aug. 19, 1952 E. M. BUTLER ELECTROLYTIC WATER CORRECTION DEVICE ANDFILTER COMBINATION Filed June 10, 1948 ZFYFE YDF 45 EDGAR M BUTLERPatented Aug. 19, 1952 ELECTROLYTIC WATER CORRECTION DEVICE AND FILTERCOMBINATION Edgar Butler, New Orleans, 1 1a,, assignor to ButlerEngineering 00., Inc., a, corporation of Florida Application June 10,1948, Serial No. 32,105

This invention relates to an electrolytic water correction device andfilter combination and more particularly to a combined self-energizingelectrolytic water correction device and filter for use in a watercirculatory system, such as the circulatory system of an internalcombustion engine.

It has long been known that the use of hard water in the cooling systemsof internal combustion engines, and particularly in diesel andautomotive vehicle engines, results in the formation of scale on theheat transfer surfaces between-the engine and the water cooling systemand also upon the internal surface of the pump and of the radiatortubes. This formation of scale not only cuts down the efficiency of heattransfer from the engine to the circulating water, but also necessitatesthe use of a larger volume of cooling Water;

It has been proposed in my copending U. S. applications Serial Nos.706,741 and 710,312, filed October 30, 1946, and November 16, 1946,respectively (now Patents 2,451,067 and 2,451,068, respectively), that aself-energizing electrolytic water correction device be inserted intothewater circulatory systems of internal combustion engines to correctthe hardness of the circulating water to prevent the formation of thescale. The present invention utilizes the same generaltype ofself-energizing electrolytic water correction 'device as those disclosedin my above identified copending application, and further provides acomplete and self-contained filter unit for use in conjunction with thewater correction device.

The combination filter and water correction device of the presentinvention not only serves to correct the hardness of water flowingthrough the circulatory system but also removes any particles of scaleor other solid particles present inthe water by means of a filterelement surrounding a portion ofthe water correction'device. Thus, theWater correction device itself is protected from the erosive effect ofsharp particles'of scale or other particles and the particles areremoved from the water circulated-through the'system to prevent harm tothe heat exchange surfaces of the engine and the circulatory system.

In general, the water correction device of the present inventionincludes a positive element, which may be copper or a copper orsilver-plated foundation metal, or other metal below hydrogen in theelectromotive force series of metals, and a negative element abovehydrogen in the electromotive force series, which is preferably a metalselected from the group consisting of zinc,

7 Claims. (Cl. 204- -248) aluminum and magnesium. ,In accordance-withwell-known electro-chemical principles, a device such as that describedacts as a galvanic couple when immersed in an aqueous electrolyte, thenegative element being electrolytically dispersed into the water toproduce metallic ions which immediately combine with the water to givehydrated, metallic ions. These metallic ions react with hydroxyl ions toyield insoluble metallic hydroxides. Eitherthe metallic ions or theinsoluble metallic hydroxides formed react with or in some way entrainthe calcium and magnesium ions present in the water., The result is thata soft sludge is formed rather than the usual hard, adherent scale oflimestone that builts up on the heat transfer surfaces in the case ofuntreated hard water. r

In addition to preventing scale formation, the

use of the self-energizing electrolytic water correction device in thecooling systems of internal combustion engines tends to break up anyscale already formed. As a result of the removal of calcium andmagnesium ions from the water, the water, in contact with any scalealready formed is almost free of these ions, and hence has a capacityfor dissolving the salt that composes the scale. This action may not beentirely due to complete dissolution of the scale but may be due to thefact that the scale deposit usually comprises two or more saltsthatdiffer considerably in solubility, so that the dissolution of the. moresoluble salt'weakens the scale structure sufiiciently to cause-the scaleto fall away from the heat transfer surfacesof its own accord.

In addition, oxygen is removed from the Water by electrolytic reductionand reaction with, the metallic ions produced as a result of theelectrolytic action of galvanic couple so that oxygen corrosion isprevented. The surfaces of the cast iron jacket of the engine remainrelatively free of oxides and a more eflicient heat transfer to thewater cooling system is obtained.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention toprovide a combined filter and electrolytic water correction deviceassembly for insertion into a water circulatory system.

It is a further important object of the present invention to provide acombined filter and electrolytic water correction device for insertioninto the water circulatory system of an internal combustion engine, thwater correction device comprising a galvanic couple functioning toprevent the deposition of scale within the circulatory system and tobreak up any scale previously formed and the filter element serving toremove any finely divided foreign particles present in the circulatingwater and prevent erosion or coating of the galvanic couple.

It is a still further important object of the present invention toprovide a combined electrolytic water correction device and filterassembly wherein, ;the water :correction device is 'of the typeinWhihthe negative elementds sheathed in a relatively tightly coiledhelical spring which serves not only as the positive element but also asa means for threadingly securing the-sheathed device in the combinedfilter and l:correction-.assembly, the filter serving to remove foreignparticles from the water in the circ-ulatoryrsystem to prevent damage tothe heat' transfer surfaces'df the engine and circulatory system and toprevent erosion andloss of efiiciency of;-the:correction;de-

vice. 7

Other and further important objects of '-'-this invention will beapparent from the disclosure in *the'specification andthemcompanyfingzlrawings.

'011' the'drawings:

f Hre 1 is ea side e'elevational :view m'f 2a com-.- "bined electrolyticwater correction :iievi'ce rand filter =assembly of the :presentinvention, iii'lusitrating -the assembly inserted in azportionxof thepooling system of an internal:combustioniengine Figure 2 is an -enlargedi longitudinal :sectional n wer the -water" correction and :filterassembly 61" Figure lwith parts in elevation; .ranri Figure? is areduced cross-sectional:vievsfitaken sg'e'nerallyaalong the'lineIII-*III OfiFigu-refi.

"As shownon the drawings In Figure 1, reference-numeral "refers to:'acombined ""filter and electrolytic water correction -assembly orthe-present invention 'disposediinza portion H of the circulatory systemo'feanlinter- *nal conibustiomengine (notshown) lThe-sdevice-Hlissuitably positionedin aJiby-pass: I2: connected to 'the line I I bymeans O'f a'T fitting ldh n'dlinlet line' f3 and byanoutletline I5 andcormection F6 The'passage of water through the: assembly m --i'scontrolled by a valve f Win the line I I between the T fittings {M' andt6, :and by' -the inlet valve I"8 -in -the inlet line I 3 and theoutletwalve 'I B mthe outlet line 15. Bythe use'oia system 'su'ch'-as'that illustrated in Figure 1, the fiow:o'f "water tl'irough themainline I I or through the-assejmbly I0 -may= be readily controlled. Byclosing valve f! and opening valves i I 8 andI I-Jpall of the v *wateriiowing throug'h thesystem is causedtoflow through the inlet line I3,the assembly i I 0, and 'out'='throu,{2,'h the-"outlet line I5 intothemain cir- "cula'ting line I I. If it is'desired'tocorrect' only aportion 'of-the waterfiowing through-the system, v

then the waived may be partially opene'd whi le *leavingwalves' IB -an"dl9 open. "If it is"de'sire*d to remove the assembly filly-as forcleaning; it isl only necessary to close the valves I 8 =and. I-9 whileop ening va1ve T H -to' -allow water in the :circula- 'tory=system tofl'ow 'directly*through line H "It is then possible to remove -the-assembly' I O-without the possibility of losing any :cr ithe .coolant,or coolant and antifreeze in the circulatorysysftem other than that"contained in the device I20 itself. lThis feature is greatly tdbedesire'dwvhere an'antis-freezefifoam inhibitoror: other composi- 'tionhas been ad'dd to the circulating coolant. I

1 As shown in :Figure '2, the 1 combination :filter element and watercorrection assembly-comprises generally an inlet and-outlet head 20,: asecond hea'd I2 I, an open 'en'ded cylindrical shell 22 ofl1eat-resistantglass,: such "as that sold underwthe :trader-mark".Pyrex, :omsuitable 1 plastic' material apositione'd between the heads20 and ll, :and

4 means including bolts 23 and wing nuts 24 for assembling the shell 22in position between the heads 20 and 2|. A filter element 25 is alsoclamped between the heads in coaxial relationship with but spaced fromthe shell 22, and a selfenergizing electrolytic water correction device26 is threadedlyi'received "by Tthe head 20fand ex- -tends through thehead into the interior of the filter element 25 in coaxial but spacedrelation therewith.

.Theheadll) -iscprovided with an inlet chamtber :21 :having :aFlaterally extending, internally threaded intake Opening 28 to receivethe line I3 (Fig .1) sand-za'downwardly extending aperture 29inzcommlmication With the interior of the shell 22. Aninlet is thusprovided from the line J 3 vthrough thel.head 20 into the annular spaces between the shell 22 and the filter element 25. The5headi20 is alsoprovided with a transversely extending outlet passage 30 having athreaded outlet-3 leadapted torreceive one :endofthe outlet line I5(-Figure.-l),-and a:downwardly .-extending central aperture r 32 incommunication with :the interiorof thelfilter element 25. .An outletfrom the 1 interior .ofthe filter. element [2 5 -.is I thus pro- .V-idedthrough the aperture 2 the outlet passage 30 and the threaded aperture'3I to theeoutlet line-i=5. I

The-head-zfl isprovided with-anannular groove :3o3.-in itsv1ower surfaceand the second head :2I is -provided with a corresponding groove 34 "toreceive -the-(open ends of the cylindrical shell -22 in abuttingrelationtherewith. =Apair of .fiber washers 435 are provided rfor each groove rto in- -sure.--a; liquid-tight sealbetween .theheadse2 0 Far-1d 12 Iandrthe. shell-22. Thelhead 20 is also provided with. a depending-:-annular -.boss '36 which is centrally .located in 'the =lowerusurface-of -:the head 20 and is provided with anii-nnerannular shoulderwto-eaid in positioning thefilter element 5-2-5. The second head 2 I:isrprovided withasimilar upstanding boss 31 which -:serves.anidentical:purpose. The filter element :25-is thus positioned betweenatheheads -.20.and2 I and held .in position rby means of the bosses 36 and 3-1.

The head '20 is provided --with a pair of diametrically opposed bosses:38 about the lower outer periphery cf the head and the head :24 :isprovided with corresponding bosses 39. The bosses38-.of--thethead-12Il-are 'threadedly aper-tured, ras at '40, to receivethe upper -threa'ded-endsof thedoolts 23 -and-the bosses-39 of the head2I-are provided with vertically aligned apertures l-I through which the'opposite threaded ends of the bolts 23 can freely Ypass. The'cylindrical .-shell 22 and the fi1ter-element 25-arepositioned betweenthe heads, the --bolts 23 are "threaded intothe apertures-40 withtheother endspassin'g through thezaperturesll of-headi2'l. 'Wing nuts:24zarethreadedon the lower ends Of'theib01tS123 extending through: thehead 2:! and tightened to :abut'the lower :surface of head 2'I :to:clamp "the 'assembly together.

:The'self-energizing water correction device 26 includes :an externallythreaded end member or "p1ug'42 which -is J adapted to be vthreaded intoa corresponding aperture 43 centrally Lloca'te'cl in ath'etupper'surfaceoflthe'head 20. The plug 42 is .also :provided with an internallythreaded recess T44 :forreceivingzan end'of sheathed-negative-elerment45. :element lfi' is encased ima positive ielem'entsheath 46 comprisinga 'helical 'coil of wire which is normally of an interior diameterrslightly less than ".the external diameter 'of the negative "element45, so "that when slipped: in

place over the element 45 the coiled wire will resiliently engage theelement to resist relative separation of the two. The coil 46 isprovided with a free end 41 which is bent inwardly into a loop tounderlie the free end of the negative element45. The external diameterof the coiled wire sheath 46 is such that the sheathed negative elementmay be threaded into the threaded recess 26 of the recess 44 of the plug42 andthus be securely retained therein.

As may be seen in Figure 2, the water correction device 26 extendsdownwardly into the central hollow portion of filter element 25, theupper portion of the device 26 traversing the outlet chamber 30 of thehead 20. The negative element, or'

cartridge, 45 may be cylindrical in form, as shown,

or maybe polygonal in cross-section and is pref erably formed of zinc,or other metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, that is relatively highin the electromotive force series of metals. The

tween the coils and the surface of the negative element 45.

The water, containing dissolved substances, is capable of acting as anelectrolyte to set up a galvanic action between the dissimilar elementsof the negative element core 45 and the wire sheath 46, or the coatingmetal thereof. The innermost coils of the wire sheath in contact withthe surface of the negative element core, or in closely spaced relationthereto, create a myriad of galvanic couples, each of which serves tobring about the electrolytic action previously described.

It will be noted that water entering the inlet chamber 21 of theassembly passes through the aperture 29 into the annular space betweenthe cylindrical shell 22 and the filter element 2 5. The filter element25 may be formed of closely woven wire or may be, as illustrated, ofsheet metal formed into cylindrical form and having a number ofrelatively small apertures formed therein. Water contained in theannular space within the shell 22 passes through the filter element 25,which functions to strain any discrete particles suspended in the water.The filtered water then passes through the outlet 32 into the outletchamber 30, and thence into the outlet line .i5. The water coming intocontact with the selfenergizing electrolytic water correction device 26will have been filtered by the element 25 to remove any discreteparticles therefrom and the water will be in contact with theself-energizing electrolytic water correction device during the flowfrom the interior of the assembly into the outlet chamber. A plug 48 isprovided in the head 2|, by means of which the solid material filteredfrom the water by filter element 25 may be removed without the necessityof interrupting the fiow of water through the device. The randommovement imparted to the water passing through the filter element 25will serve to bring the water into contact with substantially the entirelength of the water correction device so that the effective treatment ofthe water passing through the assembly may be accomplished.

It will, of course, be understood that various 6 details of constructionmay be varied through a wide range without departingfrom the principlesof this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit thepatent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scopeof theappendedclaims. 1

I claim as my invention: v

I l. A combined filter and self-energizing electrolytic water correctiondevice comprising a shell, a pair of heads, one of which is transverselyapertured to provide a fluid inlet and an outlet in communication withthe interior of said shell,

a hollow filter element concentric with and in spaced relation to saidshell and abutting the inner faces of said heads, means holding saidheads, shell and filter element in assembled relation with said inletcommunicating with the space between said shell and said filter elementand said outlet communicating with the interior of said filter element,and a self-energizing electrolytic water correction device carried byone of 7 said heads and extending into the interior of said hollowfilter element, said water correction devic'ethus being interposedbetween said filter element and said outlet for the electrolyticcorrection of filtered water flowing therethrough. I

2. Acombined filter and electrolytic water cor rection device for use-ina watercirculatory systenr-comprising a cylindrical shell, a cylindricalfilter element, a pair of heads having grooves for receiving 'the endsof said shell, and annular bosses formed in their inner faces forreceiving said filter element, means for clamping said cylindricalshell, said filter element and said heads in assembled relation, saidfilter element being concentric with butspaced from said-cylindricalshell, one of said heads being transversely apertured to provide a fluidinlet communicating with the annular space between said filter elementand said shell and an outlet communicating with the interior of saidfilter element to receive therefrom substantially solids-free water, anda selfenergizing electrolytic water correction device remova'blysecured'within one Of said heads and extending into the interior of saidcylindrical filter elementfor contact with substantially solidsfreeWater therein, said water correction device comprising a-negativeelement core and a positiveelement sheath in the form of a helical wirecoil resiliently gripping the surface of said core throughoutsubstantially the entire length thereof. l

3. A combined filter and self-energizing electrolytic water correctiondevice for use in the circulatory system of an internal combustionengine comprising a cylindrical outer shell, a cylindrical filterelement, a pair of heads, means for clamping said shell, said filterelement and said heads in assembled relation with said filter elementand saidshell in concentric, spaced relation and having their ends incontact with the inner surfaces of said heads, one of said heads beingtransversely. apertured to provide an inlet in communication with theannular space between said shell and said filter element and an outletin communication with the interior of said filter element, and aself-energizing electrolytic water correction device threadedly retainedin said apertured head and having a negative element core extendingtransversely of said fluid outlet into the interior of said filterelement and a positive element sheath in the form of a hellcal coil ofwire resiliently engaging the surface of said element throughoutsubstantially the entire length thereof, said filter serving to removeilforeign zparticles irom .thez'cireulatingz fluid. andriisaid'rrwater:correction device; serving: to-.-.electrolyticallyicorrecti water, passing therethrough.242A:combination filternelement anddseli-ener- -:gizingi' electrolyticwatercorrection device comprising a cylindrical shell, acylindricalfilter element, a pair of headshaving interiorfaces'conatom-edit torficeivel the. ends of 1 said shell and said.sfilter'element, means for clamping. saidshell,--'said :filtenelementand-:saidheads in assembled; relat-tlomwith said filter.element beingconfinedwithv,Iin ;sa-id-1-:.she1l :between said heads, one. of .said:heads being atransversely apertured to provide: a 1-: fluid: inletLand-an: outlet in communication with he interior annular ,spacebetweensaid-shell and esaidghead and withnthe' interior ofsaidfiltereleamentrespectively, and a plugthreadedly received .iebwsaidtransversely apertured head and having ea centrally-located threadedaperture formed -=ithereinp aself -.energizing electrolytic water-corwcoil riof wire resiliently. gripping the surface of saidinegativeelementthroughout substantially the entirelength thereof, said" positiveelement ssheathvproviding threads whereby the watercoryrectionz-devioemay be threadedly retainedin the central threadedaperture of said plugto main- --:*tain.- the water correction device inposition 'with- -alnthe-rassembly.

5.:.A combined filter -and self-energizing :elec- :Itrolytic "=-water-..correction device comprising a ashellpa pair of heads,:one of which istransversely i-raperturedto provideafluid inlet-andean outlet in'cornmuni'cation with the. interior of said-shell, :sel'f-energizingelectrolytic water correction de- -ivice. carried by one of said headsand extending maxi-ally of said shell into the interior thereof, ahollow filter elementcoaxial with and surrounding that portion of saidwater correction device 'rextending 1 into the interior of said shell,and means for holding said heads, shell and filter ele- .-mentin--assembled relation with the filter elemment abuttingthe inner facesof said heads with vsaid inlet communicating with'the space between...-.::said. .shell and said filter element and with said w-outletscommunicating with the interior of said 1 filter:.-element, said-watercorrection-device thus .r bein'gpositioned in thepath of flow offiltered water passing from said inlet through said filtered M-elementtosaid outlet. I

6.1A combined filter and self-energizing elec- ;trolytic watercorrection device comprising a .cylindricalshell,-a..pair: of heads.connected .to opposite .ends .of .saidcylindricalshell, said shell .-.awater outlet iorconnection as .a .unit1ofthe ..housing inaawater,.circulatoryssystem, aoselfenergizing electrolytic waterv-cor-rection.., device carried .lay said one. head/centrally.thereohand extending generally axially. of .said cylindrical ..,shelland in. spaced relation :thereto within the :10 housing, means forfilteringawithinthehousing and. generally. concentricwith. and in spacedrelation to. said water correctionldevices and.:connected-Aao ,said;heads, said :watercorrection-device-lacingv between said; filtering;means1and-..said outlet, means .-.connected v.to said. .housingmad- Jacent said. water; inlet .fordivertingwater:enter- -ing said. -housing..toward:- said .filtering..means, lmeans in-said one head affordinga.hollow open- -'ended.-.conduit connect atone .end remotefrom .20. saidwater correction device with-said vwater-nut- .letsand .extending5generally transversely of said housing. and terminating atthe other endremote from said water .outletand centrally of and :Wlthsaid housingandadj acentone end of said water 5 correctiondevice. V a

..'7.. A combined electrolytic. water correction deviceand filtercomprising annitary compact hol- -low fil ter.,casing and, a,.pair. .of.heads :closing .the :endslof said casing,v ioneof saidi heads. providinga waterinlet-zanda:water..outlet for connection as a unit...'in- .awater .circulatory. system 1 fonflow of Water through the casing, filtermeansflimsaid casinglsupported ..byand between .said.heads, a galvanic.couplermounted within said filterymeans ..and connectedHto said v.oneheadland extending generally. axially .of. and centrally-.ofnsaid.hollow casing, and.. means..adjacent said .water inlet ior shielding.the water -.o.utlet.. from the Water. inlet ...to. circulatewaterwentering the. casing along-ithe 40L filter. means .thereinspriorLto'. its. exit....fr.om the leasing, said.,galvanic couplelbeingbetween. said i-filtermeans andsaid outlet.

. EDGAR M, BUTLER.

REFERENCES .CITED The. following-references care :of record: in the--file -0fthis--.patent:

STATESTA'IENTS Name

1. A COMBINED FILTER AND SELF-ENERGIZING ELECTROLYTIC WATER CORRECTIONDEVICE COMPRISING A SHELL, A PAIR OF HEADS, ONE OF WHICH IS TRANSVERSELYAPERTURED TO PROVIDE A FLUID INLET AND AN OUTLET IN COMMUNICATION WITHTHE INTERIOR OF SAID SHELL, A HOLLOW FILTER ELEMENT CONCENTRIC WITH ANDIN SPACED RELATION TO SAID SHELL AND ABUTTING THE INNER FACES OF SAIDHEADS, MEANS HOLDING SAID HEADS, SHELL AND FILTER ELEMENT IN ASSEMBLEDRELATION WITH SAID INLET COMMUNICATING WITH THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID SHELLAND SAID FILTER ELEMENT, AND SAID OUTLET COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOROF SAID FILTER ELEMENT, AND A SELF-ENERGIZING ELECTROLYTIC WATERCORRECTION DEVICE CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID HEADS AND EXTENDING INTO THEINTERIOR OF SAID HOLLOW FILTER ELEMENT, SAID WATER CORRECTION DEVICETHUS BEING INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID FILTER ELEMENT AND SAID OUTLET FORTHE ELECTROLYTIC CORRECTION OF FILTERED WATER FLOWING THERETHROUGH.